Community Corner
Soule: When is the best time to train a bull? Now!
The first step in training is to let them fight with the rope. Some cattle don't fight much; others, like Mason, are real drama kings.
“Well, that wasn’t in today’s schedule,” I said to husband Bruce as he climbed out of the cab of the Mahindra tractor. The huge tractor tires were stuck hub-deep in tire-sucking muck that wouldn’t let go.
It was a recent Sunday, and the day’s schedule we had agreed on was clear:
1. Walk dogs.
2. Feed cattle.
3. Eat a breakfast of pancakes smothered in maple syrup and fruit.
4. Train the new bull.
But then Bruce changed the plan. He decided that while delivering hay, he’d get the tractor stuck.
After breakfast, it was time to move on to #4, train the bull. Mason, a 14-month-old bull, was the fruit of a recent bovine-shopping spree. He’d never had a halter on, and when I tied his rope to the side of the holding pen, he bellowed, thrashed, and flew into the air as he fought the rope. This is the first step in bull training (or any cattle training).
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Carole Soule is the co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H. She raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com.
